Median Salary in Australia: How State and Industry Differences Affect Your Pay

What Does "Median Salary in Australia" Really Mean?

When people ask about the median salary in Australia, they usually want to know what a typical full-time worker earns. The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes average weekly earnings, but the median—the middle point where half earn more and half earn less—isn't officially released for all workers. That's where the Salary Index comes in. We set the national line at 100, which equals $108,352 per year (based on $2,083.70 per week for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, May 2026). Your own pay can be compared to this line: divide your annual gross salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100 to get your personal index.

But the median itself? It's uncertain. The average is pulled up by high earners, so the median is likely lower—perhaps around 85–95 on the index. However, we can look at how pay varies by state and industry to give you a clearer picture.

State Differences in Median Salary

Where you live has a big impact on your earning potential. The Salary Index shows state-level averages, which are a good proxy for median differences. Here's how each state and territory compares to the national line:

• ACT: 109.9 ($119,090) – the highest, driven by public service and professional roles.
• Western Australia: 106.9 ($115,825) – boosted by mining and resources.
• New South Wales: 101.2 ($109,658) – slightly above the national line, thanks to Sydney's finance and tech sectors.
• Victoria: 98.0 ($106,137) – close to the national average.
• Queensland: 97.9 ($106,064) – similar to Victoria.
• Northern Territory: 95.2 ($103,173) – below average despite mining, due to a smaller population and different industry mix.
• South Australia: 94.6 ($102,450) – below the line.
• Tasmania: 88.6 ($96,008) – the lowest, reflecting a smaller economy and fewer high-paying industries.

If you're wondering where your pay sits, compare your gross annual salary to these figures. For example, a worker earning $100,000 in Tasmania has an index of 92.3, which is above the state average—meaning they're doing relatively well locally. The same salary in the ACT would be an index of 92.3 as well, but that's below the ACT average, so they might feel less well-off.

For more detail on how we calculate these numbers, see how the index works.

Industry Differences: From Mining to Retail

Your industry matters even more than your state. The Salary Index gives industry benchmarks based on average earnings. Again, these aren't medians, but they show the relative pay landscape.

• Mining: 154.7 – the clear leader. A typical miner earns about 55% more than the national line. Even the median in mining is likely well above 100.
• Professional, scientific and technical services: 114.7 – includes lawyers, accountants, engineers, and IT specialists.
• Education and training: 105.5 – teachers and lecturers tend to earn slightly above the national average.
• Health care and social assistance: 97.8 – just below the line, reflecting a mix of high-paid specialists and lower-paid carers.
• Retail trade: 75.9 – well below average, with many part-time and award-covered roles.
• Accommodation and food services: 72.5 – the lowest, driven by casual and junior positions.

These indices are gross ordinary-time benchmarks. They don't include overtime, bonuses, or casual loadings. For example, a casual retail worker might get 25% loading on top of their base award rate, but the index still reflects the ordinary-time figure.

If you work in an industry with a low index, don't despair—your personal index could be higher if you're in a senior role or a specialised niche. Use the pay guides to check award rates and minimums for your classification.

How Awards and Minimum Wages Fit In

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (annualised $52,255, index 48.2). That's the floor for award-free employees. Most workers are covered by a modern award, which can set higher minimums. For example, the entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour, but many awards have higher rates for skilled roles.

Junior workers get a percentage of the adult minimum wage. A 16-year-old earns $12.51 per hour, while a 20-year-old earns $25.83. These rates affect the median in industries like retail and hospitality, where many young people work.

Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of your gross salary. The maximum contribution base is $270,830. Remember, the Salary Index uses gross pay before super and tax.

For a breakdown of pay by region, visit our states page.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your take-home pay depends on your tax bracket. For 2026–27, resident tax rates are:

• $0–$18,200: nil
• $18,201–$45,000: 15%
• $45,001–$135,000: 30%
• $135,001–$190,000: 37%
• Over $190,000: 45%

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. These are estimates; they ignore HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. If you earn the national line salary of $108,352, your tax would be about $24,000, leaving roughly $84,000 after Medicare. But that's just an example.

Putting It All Together

The median salary in Australia isn't a single number you can look up, but the Salary Index gives you a reliable way to compare your pay. If you earn $80,000, your index is 73.8. That's below the national line but above the retail industry average. If you earn $130,000, your index is 120.0, putting you above most state averages except the ACT and WA.

To see how your industry compares, check our industries page. And if you're curious about other topics, browse our topics for more guides.

Remember: the index is a benchmark, not a promise. Your actual pay depends on your role, experience, employer, and negotiations. Use the index as a starting point to understand where you stand.